Travel: We will travel in rented 4X4 vehicles
(Budget Rental Car) or Mini buses. Each vehicle will be equipped with
two-way radios and cellular telephones. Bilingual Ecuadorian
research assistants will assist us in everything . We will stay in a variety of
different accommodations, including hotels and hostels which
will be chosen in regard to both safety and cost.
Safety
& Security: A large portion of the financial resources
and the efforts by the Ecuadorian staff and faculty are
focused on ensuring the safety of the participants. Research
locations and logistics are carefully planned to maximize
the safety of the group. Although previous workshops have
not experienced any major problems, participants are
encouraged to be mindful of the following recommendations
(just common sense travel tips): (1) luggage should be
locked at all times in airplanes, hotels and vehicles; (2)
carry only small amounts of currency in your pockets for
occasional personal expenditures; (3) conceal the location
of passport and other important documents; (4) do not put
cameras or expensive equipment in your luggage for
international flights; (5) observe new travel regulations
(they are changing all of the time) regarding items not
allowed in carry-on luggage; (6) do not accept to carry
packages from strangers ; (7) do not leave your personal
effects/luggage unattended; (8) do not disclose details on
lodging or route plans to strangers (even other
international travelers); (9) avoid crowds and very crowded
places; (10) do not get separated from the group; always
remain close to an Ecuadorian staff member carrying
communication equipment; (11) never buy food from street
vendors. Additional recommendations will be made during the
orientation in Quito.
Airline Tickets:
Participants are responsible to arranging their own
transportation to Quito, Ecuador.
Arrival in Quito: Since participants may arrive
from different destinations in the USA and other countries
using different airlines and at different dates, arrangements will made for pickup
at the airport in Quito by the Ecuadorian staff. Similarly,
arrangements will be made for transport to the airport at
time of departure.
